News from Mississippi Mills Public Library – Week of January 14, 2026

Here’s the latest news from Mississippi Mills Public Library (MMPL).

Programs, news and events

MMPL’s list of the Most Borrowed Books of 2025 is here! The #1 Book for each category is as follows:

• Adult Fiction –  Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
• Adult Non-Fiction – At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage by Carol Off
• Young Adult Fiction – Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
• Junior Fiction – No Brainer by Jeff Kinney
• Junior Non-Fiction – LEGO Play Book: Ideas To Bring Your Bricks To Life by Daniel Lipkowitz
• Picture Books – Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
• eBooks – The Women by Kristin Hannah

For the complete Top 10 lists visit our website here.

Big News: We’re Stitching Something Special! We are over the moon to announce that Sewing is officially part of our Makerspace programming! We have brand new sewing machines and a serger ready to go, and we’re offering beginner training to get you comfortable behind the needle. Sign up for beginner training here: https://form.jotform.com/253423425746256

We need your help to grow! Since we’re starting our sewing journey from scratch, we’re looking to build our Makerspace “fabric library” to use during our free workshops – and we would love your help. If you’re cleaning out your craft room, please consider donating to the Makerspace! Items can be dropped off at either branch.

We are currently looking for:

• Fabrics: Quilting cottons, wool, fleece, denim, or stable knits (solids or fun patterns!)
• Notions: Interfacing, thread, zippers, and lace
• Tools: sewing tools like pins, scissors, rulers etc.

Note: To keep our space organized, any donated items that we can’t use for our programs will be passed along to other community resource.

Thank you!

Calling Escape Room Makers! We are looking for youth participants age 11+ to invent, make and run an ESCAPE room at the Almonte Branch. We need people who can write stories, invent puzzles, build a set, and/or work with audience members on escape day. Earn volunteer hours! Snacks! Fun!
Almonte Branch – Tuesdays, February 2 – March 3 from 4 – 5:15 p.m., PLUS flexibility for Escape Room set up and operation March 6 –7.

Space is limited – register now https://form.jotform.com/260086545296262.

ESL Conversation Circle – We are pleased to share that Lanark & Renfrew Immigrant Settlement Services (LRISS) resumed its English as a Second Language (ESL) classes on January 15, 2026 at the Almonte Branch from 2:30-4 p.m. We welcome newcomers and community members back for another engaging session of language learning and connection. Please share with anyone looking to improve their English skills in a friendly and supportive environment! To register, please contact settlement@lanarkcounty.ca or call 1- 866-467-2439 (toll-free).

The Pakenham Frost Festival starts this Friday and runs until January 25. Join us at the Pakenham branch on Saturday, January 24 from 12-4 p.m. (extended hours!) for some family friendly crafts and snacks. If you can’t make it out that day, feel free to stop by to pick up and take home our craft-in-a-bag, available throughout the Frost Festival.

F1: The Movie will be featured January 28 at 1 p.m. – Almonte Branch. Come see this action-packed sports drama! FREE popcorn! No registration required. Room capacity is 30 people.

School is OUT, but seeds are IN! Come join us for a SEEDY PD. Families are welcome to drop in anytime 1-4 p.m. on January 30 at the Almonte branch for crafts, and activities in collaboration with our Seed Library. Participants of all ages can help decorate and design seed envelopes, learn how to fold origami seed envelopes, sort seeds, make seed mosaics and learn about what is sleeping under the ground.